Kent State women's soccer star Culver earns All-America honors

Sunday

Dec 3, 2017 at 8:02 PMDec 3, 2017 at 8:52 PM

By Allen MoffStaff Writer

Kent State junior defender Paige Culver has been named a third team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches. She joins Jenna Hellstrom as the only players in Golden Flashes women's soccer history to earn All-American honors.

Culver put together one of the best campaigns by a defender in program history this year. She was named Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year, first team All-Midwest Region and first team All-MAC after anchoring a Flashes defense that tied the school record for most shutouts in a season with 11 in 2017.

Kent State's defense ranked first in the MAC in goals allowed (16), goals against average (0.75) and shutouts, helping the program earn the 2017 MAC regular season championship.

"We are really proud that our program has received an All-American honor," said KSU coach Rob Marinaro. "Paige has worked extremely hard and puts so much time into improving her game. We are thrilled that her work has paid off in this recognition."

This year's NCAA Division I All-Americans, along with their families and coaches, will be formally acknowledged for their accomplishments at the United Soccer Coaches All-America Luncheon set for Jan. 20 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia.

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Culver was joined on the All-Midwest Region squad by teammate Vital Kats, who earned Second Team recognition.

Culver is just the second KSU player to be named to the All-Region first team, along with Hellstrom.

Kats, the MAC Freshman of the Year, led Kent State with 16 points (6 goals, 4 assists) and netted three game-winners. She is one of only two freshmen on the second team.

WOMEN'S LACROSSE

Kent State has announced its inaugural signing class of 13 recruits, who will begin play in 2019. This initial group, formed by head coach Brianne Tierney, features student-athletes from six different states — including six Ohio products.

"This group has committed to being an integral part of the foundation of Kent State women's lacrosse," Tierney said. "Their contributions to this program, both on the lacrosse field and off, will lead the way for future Golden Flashes. I am confident that these are the right young women to take on such a massive responsibility. We are thrilled about our first recruiting class and look forward to all the other 'firsts' that this group will record in the very near future."

Here's a look at the recruits:

Hailee Andry (defender from Santa Ana, California) — Andry plays for one of the nation's elite prep programs at Mater Dei High School, and has helped the Monarchs to back-to-back Orange County and Southern Section championships. Mater Dei finished 16-5 and was ranked No. 26 in the country by MaxPreps in 2017 after going undefeated to earn the No. 8 ranking in 2016.

Malissa Beall (defender from Annapolis, Maryland) — Beall participated in the 2017 Brine National Lacrosse Classic and is a two-time team captain at Annapolis High School.

Meghan Cawood (midfielder from Middlebury, Indiana) — Cawood has been one of the top scorers in the Hoosier State each of the past two seasons, totaling 197 goals and 30 assists over her first three seasons at Northridge High School. She was named Team MVP as a junior after scoring 85 goals to go with 13 assists.

Carlee Cook (defender from Westminster, Maryland) — Cook is a multi-sport athlete at Winters Mill High School, with four varsity letters in lacrosse and field hockey and in basketball.

Abby Jones (midfielder from Coon Rapids, Minnesota) — Jones is a three-time all-conference selection and has led Blaine High School to the state tournament the past two seasons. She was named Second Team All-State last spring after setting school records for goals (81) and points (100).

Megan Kozar (attacker from Upper Arlington) — Kozar has been a pivotal member of Upper Arlington's state championship teams that have earned Top 15 national rankings by MaxPreps the past two seasons. She led the Golden Bears with 36 assists and also scored 36 goals in 2017. Kozar is a three-time Academic All-Ohio honoree.

Maddy Mead (midfielder from Upper Arlington) — Mead is a two-time Academic All-Ohio honoree and was appointed team captain for the Ohio powerhouse Golden Bears. She is also a three-time varsity letterwinner in cross country and two-time varsity letterwinner on the Upper Arlington basketball team.

Grace Merrill (goalkeeper from Canton/Jackson High School) — Merrill's stellar play between the pipes has led Jackson to a 58-5 overall record over the past three seasons. This past spring she saved 74 percent of opponent shots on goal as part of a defense that led the Buckeye State in goals allowed per game. The Polar Bears were ranked No. 21 nationally by MaxPreps and finished as state runner-up for the second straight year. Merrill has 10 career shutouts.

Morgan Naber (midfielder from Loveland) — Naber is Loveland High School's record holder for assists in a season (44), assists in a game (7) and points in a game (10). She scored 25 goals for the Eastern Cincinnati Conference champions.

Eva Nikolai (midfielder from Medina) — Nikolai was Medina High School's top scorer last spring. She helped the Bees reach the state semifinals in 2015 and quarterfinals in 2016. Nikolai is a three-time Academic All-Ohio honoree.

Alexis Parker (defender from St. Paul, Minnesota) — Parker helped lead Cretin-Derham High School to a state consolation championship this past season, and was the top defensive player on a unit that allowed the second-fewest goals per game in the state of Minnesota.

Madison Rapier (midfielder from Powell/Olentangy Liberty High School) — Rapier was named second team All-Ohio during her sophomore season at Olentangy Liberty High School. She has totaled 59 goals and 12 assists over her two varsity seasons.

Reagan Russell (midfielder from East Lansing, Michigan) — Russell earned second team all-state honors in 2017. She was named Haslett High School's MVP with 48 goals and 18 assists.

WRESTLING

West Coast native Will Bardezbain (Chehalis, Washington) led Kent State at the 36th annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational last weekend. Bardezbain won his first three matches in the 125-pound bracket, including an 18-15 thriller over No. 4 seed Dalton Macri of North Carolina.

Bardezbain pinned Wyoming's Trent Olson in the first period. He began Friday's action with a 12-6 victory over Anthony DeCesare of Air Force. Stanford's Connor Schram, the No. 5 seed, handed Bardezbain his only loss on Friday, 4-1. No. 7 seed Louie Hayes of Virginia led Bardezbain 6-5 after one period Saturday before recording a third period fall in the round of 12.

In the next weight class up, junior Anthony Tutolo defeated West Virginia's Matt Schmitt 6-4 before falling to No. 1 seed Stevan Micic of Michigan. Tutolo bounced back with a 5-1 win over Armando Torres of Eastern Michigan, but then lost to fall short of a top-eight finish.

Redshirt freshman Nick Monico won his opening match over Oregon State's Kurt Mode 7-2. Monico finished 2-2 on the day with a 5-3 win over Nebraska-Kearney's Jacob Wasser.